A certain Hogwarts professor of runes.

Felix: "...Don't tell anyone."

Neville looked at the professor with a stern face and nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

"Is there anything I can help you with? By the way, how are your parents? I heard from the staff at St. Mungo's that they've been discharged."

“Yes, they’ve fully recovered,” Neville quickly replied. “The head of the Auror office visited them a while ago, hoping they could rejoin the Auror ranks as squad leaders again.”

“Scringer?” Felix frowned slightly.

“It’s him,” Neville said. “But Mom and Dad have decided to take a break first. They’ve gone on a trip abroad and are doing some rehabilitation training… We’ll make a decision when they get back.”

Felix nodded slightly. "Sounds good. Alright, Neville, you've been lying in wait in the corridor, what do you want to say to me?"

“I, uh,” Neville suddenly stammered again, his face turning bright red. He swallowed hard as he said, “I am—gulp! I want to ask, is there any magic that can make people brave?”

"Become braver?" Felix looked at him strangely. "What do you want to do?"

"I... I've discovered my talent has improved, and my grades have gone up a lot, but I'm still so timid. I don't even dare to speak loudly in front of others, afraid of being laughed at..." Neville said with a mournful face, "And... there's still the championship—"

"You also want to participate in the championship? Potter and the others had no choice in the matter."

“No, I mean, I don’t have the courage to take on either of these projects, not even a little bit… Whether it’s the fire dragon or the deep lake bottom, just thinking about them makes me tremble,” Neville said, tears welling up in his eyes.

"So I'd like to ask, is there any magic that can shield me from these negative emotions, including other people's opinions of me?"

Neville looked at Felix with hope.

"Of course," Felix thought. "Occlumency is practically made for you. But if your goal is to gain courage by blocking out your emotions, then you're putting the cart before the horse."

“You’ve stumped me.” Felix looked Neville up and down, making him feel uneasy. “Your idea is certainly unique… Would a curse work?”

“A curse? A curse?” Neville looked startled.

“Yes,” Felix casually scratched his chin, then his expression suddenly changed, turning grim as he said, “I curse you, that from this moment forward, every insult, slander, ridicule, resentment, and discontent you hear will become the most beautiful praise in the world…”

"They can't hear honest advice that's hard to hear..."

"They can't hear honest advice..."

"I can't hear any kind of mockery..."

Neville felt a chill run through him, as if something dirty was clinging to him, and he shivered uncontrollably.

“Professor?” Neville said with a mournful face and despair, “You really cursed me? You could at least have asked me first…”

Felix's expression turned serious, and he said, "You're an idiot."

Neville was stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief until they became dry and sore, at which point he finally blinked. "I...I'm alright? I heard you call me an idiot...So I'm not cursed?"

Felix laughed.

Neville's round face tightened involuntarily, and Felix patted him on the shoulder reassuringly, "Do you remember what happened when you got the invitation card during the Warriors selection?"

“I saw…Hogwarts…England…the ocean…the world and…the brilliant starry sky,” Neville said. He recalled the awe he felt when he wandered through the vast universe, a silent contrast that made him feel his own insignificance without needing any words.

As he pondered, his thoughts suddenly drifted, and he recalled the hurdle he had to overcome before—the scene of standing on stage and singing for the row of 'Professor Snape' below. It was a nightmare: there was Snape, his expression one of rapture, tapping his feet to the beat; there was Snape, fists clenched, glaring at him; there was Snape in his black cloak, his eyes cold; and there was Snape striding towards him, trying to grab him onto the stage…

That scene was so impactful that he felt strange whenever he saw a real Potions professor afterward. He was afraid that Seamus or Dean next to him would suddenly turn their heads and reveal a face with an expressionless expression and a long, hooked nose.

But in any case, he was no longer so afraid of Potions class.

He heard a snap of fingers, looked up, and saw Professor Heap looking at him. "Sorry, Professor, I was daydreaming..." Neville stammered.

Felix showed an understanding expression.

He hadn't used Legilimency and assumed Neville was still lost in memories of the magic enchanted on the invitation card.

"Have you made any plans for the future?" he asked patiently.

This was just a starting point to lead into the next topic. But Neville surprisingly nodded. "I've thought about it. I want to be a Herbalist professor, or an Auror."

"Why?" Felix asked, somewhat surprised. Few students consider this question so early; they usually only realize it during career counseling in their fifth year.

“I love herbs!” Neville exclaimed, then glanced sheepishly at Felix and muttered under his breath, “I also want to catch Crouch.”

Felix nodded slightly, fully understanding his thoughts—of the four Death Eaters who used the Cruciatus Curse on the Longbottoms, only Crouch Jr. was on the run; the other three were still in Azkaban.

The mention of Azkaban seemed to trigger a thought in him. Azkaban… Death Eaters… what exactly were they? He tried to grasp this fleeting idea, his mind racing with information about Azkaban—

North Sea Island...unmarkable...built in the 15th century...the lair of the black wizard Extis...torturing passing sailors to create Dementors...Dementors?

Felix blinked. As far as he knew, the wizarding prison was severely under-guarded because of what he had done last year. The new Dementors would need a considerable amount of time to breed and grow, and it was estimated that many strikers would be sent there on rotation to guard the prison over the next few years.

Could this be the reason the Ministry of Magic plans to recruit more Aurors and strikers? Felix speculated, rather unreliably, that it was at least very likely the reason Fudge agreed—to guard the wizarding prison…

He pondered for a few seconds, but couldn't immediately find anything valuable or alarming. He could only silently memorize the information and think about it again when he had time.

Felix looked up at Neville and said, “The Herbalist professor and the Auror are both good choices, but they all have one thing in common.”

“What are the characteristics?” Neville asked. He suddenly recalled Roger Davis’s feat in the first project, where he nurtured blackthorn seeds to subdue a fire dragon. Professor Sprout was thrilled by this.

Does the professor mean to arm oneself with the knowledge learned in herbal medicine class?

“They all need to counsel others,” Felix offered a completely different answer.

Neville looked at him hesitantly. He could understand a professor advising a student, like right now, but an Auror…

“Think about it,” Felix said seriously, “If you’re a professor, you’ll definitely be dealing with a group of all sorts of lively students, or if you’re an Auror, and you’re looking at the bigger picture, being a squad leader isn’t too much to ask, right? Then you’ll have to pay attention to the emotions of your team members at all times, otherwise a slight mistake could cost a life.”

Neville's expression turned serious, and he nodded in agreement. He had heard his parents talk about similar things, and some of their views did indeed coincide with the professor's...

The professor knows so much. He thought enviously.

"...So you should also have that ability," Felix concluded.

"Uh..." Neville's face turned red again. He was really not good at this kind of work. At this moment, he only had one thought: I'm doomed. I won't be able to be the Herbology Professor or the Auror. But he quickly cheered himself up and whispered, "Shall I give it a try?"

Felix nodded approvingly, rummaging through the ring before pulling out a small booklet. "I happen to have a spell here; you can take it back and take a look... it's the spell attached to the invitation card."

Neville eagerly took it, then stared in disbelief. It appeared to be a manuscript, though the corners were glued together with spells, making it look like a book from a distance, but it wasn't. He stared at the handwritten cover; the name on it had been crossed out twice—

"Mind Hut Magic Directed Simplified Edition (Special Edition for Saint Mungo)" (crossed out);

"Magic Research That Traps People into Predetermined Illusions (Horror? Mystery? Mental Pollution?)" (crossed out);

Finally, the surviving name is: "Daydream Curse (Cosmic Starry Sky)".

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Felix snatched the booklet from Neville’s dazed hands, pulled out a few pages, and explained, “These aren’t suitable for you.”

Then he returned the rest of the booklet to Neville, patted him on the shoulder and said, “Try this spell if you encounter similar problems in the future. Also, remind yourself: You’re going to be the one guiding others in the future; how can you guide others if you can’t even do it yourself?”

Chapter 454 Trading

Let me enlighten others… Neville thought blankly, a sudden heaviness settling in his heart—the weight of responsibility.

He liked this feeling.

……

Meanwhile, Professor Marchban and old Vera walked down the castle corridor.

“A very talented young man. I realized he would achieve great things when I was proctoring his exams!” Machiban exclaimed.

Old Villa didn't seem to agree.

“You should not underestimate a great mage,” Professor Machiban pointed out.

“The Archmage…you mean him?” Old Vera’s eyes widened, and the diminutive Professor Machiban met her gaze without flinching. He opened his mouth several times, but each time he gave up under her stern stare.

“Don’t tell me you don’t follow the news, Heidstrand!” Professor Marchban shouted.

Old Vera was speechless. If there was anyone in the entire wizarding world who was most concerned about Felix's whereabouts, he would definitely be on the list. Heaven knows what his expression was when his granddaughter found that set of comic books in his study.

He was worried that this kid might smash a few more bricks of the Ancient Magic Script Building one day!

“I just read his book, ‘Exploring Ancient Runes,’ a couple of days ago! That was his level from three years ago,” Professor Machiban said bluntly, “It’s more impressive than your introductory rune manual!”

Old Vera opened her mouth to refute, but she continued, "I even wrote to Babling! She praised him highly in her reply!"

“That half-breed—” Old Vera frowned, but when he saw Machiban’s stern gaze, he immediately shut his mouth and said awkwardly, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

"It seems she had a reason for refusing to join you!" she said, dissatisfied.

Several students in the corridor looked over, but neither of them spoke. They reached the spiral staircase and descended. "What day is it today?" Professor Machiban asked loudly.

"What? Uh, I think it should be the weekday—ouch!" Old Vera was thinking when he accidentally got his foot stuck in a step of the stairs.

Hogwarts has many such tricky staircases. For the students, navigating them has become instinctive. Old Vera hadn't been here for over half a century, and he clearly remembered that nothing unusual had happened that morning.

“So it’s Thursday,” Professor Marchban said thoughtfully.

……

When Felix went to the auditorium for lunch, he casually stuck the questionnaire from the Experimental Spells Committee, which Professor Marchban had given him, on the bulletin board in the foyer, and attached a bubble charm to the outside.

Then he waved his wand, and a piece of parchment flew out of the ring and was stuck to the wall, with glowing words on it.

After he left, the young wizards gathered around from a distance to read the new notice:

Students, groups, and teachers who discover a stable combination of ancient runes and spells can receive a questionnaire from the Experimental Spell Committee. They should answer the questions in detail and send the paper to the Experimental Spell Committee. Once the new spell is approved as valid, they will receive the honor of "Spell Inventor" and have the opportunity to obtain the right to name the spell.

The content and word count of the paper should refer to the front-page article of the Daily Prophet on March 12, "The Invention of a New Type of Spell: A Combination of the Water-Making Spell and the Ancient Spell 'Water Flow'". The paper template can be obtained from any member of the Spell Club.

Each person is limited to one questionnaire; if there are not enough, you can copy the ones from other people.

Note: This is the easiest and safest way to have your name printed in textbooks.

Come on!

Signed: Felix Heap, Professor of Ancient Runes at Hogwarts.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other in bewilderment.

An excited voice rang out behind them: "Warren! Look! We just finished our paper yesterday!" Seventh-year student Pete Selton tugged at the sleeve of a Ravenclaw boy and pushed forward. "Oh, Hermione, Harry, Ron, hello there," Selton greeted them.

“Hello,” Warren Pardis said. Both of them were among the first members of the Magic Rune Club.

Harry and the others greeted each other in a flurry of chatter.

“Having your name printed in a textbook…that sounds really appealing,” Seldon said, squinting as he reached into the sticky bubbles on the bulletin board and slowly pulled out a piece of parchment. Hermione spotted the Ministry of Magic's official seal.

"Ugh~ How disgusting! The professor's twisted sense of humor!"

Selden pulled her hand away, saying her fingers were clean. Pardis also took one, and the two left together.

“Let’s hurry, or we’ll have to borrow from others,” Hermione said decisively. They each took a card and stood a short distance away in the crowd to look at them.